Sask. legislature passes motion condemning Russian invasion in Ukraine
CBC
The Saskatchewan legislative spring sitting began with a message of solidarity for the people of Ukraine and a motion condemning the Russian invasion.
The government held an emergency debate following question period on Monday. MLAs passed a motion to support Ukraine and send a letter to the Ukrainian and Russian ambassadors to Canada.
Premier Scott Moe read the motion while the assembly sat with Ukrainian flags on their desks.
"Saskatchewan stands united with the people of Ukraine. Your courage and determination are an inspiration to us all," Moe said.
"We unequivocally condemn this unprovoked and illegal invasion. Democracy and freedom are under attack and it is our hope that the whole world will stand up to Russia and say no."
The motion calls for Russia to cease operations and withdraw its military from the country.
Saskatchewan has pledged $100,000 toward humanitarian efforts in Ukraine.
The conflict in Ukraine has coincided with higher oil prices and higher prices at the gas pumps.
On Monday, the opposition asked the government to help consumers with a provincial gas relief program.
"Temporary measures like these will offer families some relief as we anticipate gas prices to continue to increase as the economic sanctions against Russia take effect," Opposition finance critic Trent Wotherspoon said.
Wotherspoon said higher oil prices will result in higher revenues for Saskatchewan and that those should be passed on to consumers.
"$1.60 a litre at the pumps today and families struggling with significant cost of living increases. We feel the provincial government needs to provide some relief on fuel costs for Saskatchewan people," he said.
On Monday, the Alberta government announced it would pause the collection of its 13-cent per litre provincial fuel tax on April 1. The policy will remain in place as long as West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil remains above $90 US per barrel.
Moe said given oil revenue is the "people of Saskatchewan's resource," the government is in the "early stages" of looking at how it can return some relief to consumers. He said it would be "at a different level than Alberta" because Saskatchewan's economy is less reliant on oil and gas revenues.
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